This page focuses on the the MODEL_ANGULAR_MOMENTUM model-based item in Visual3D. A full discussion on the theoretical underpinnings for Angular Momentum as a quantity can be found on Wikipedia.

Given a particle with momentum (p)

p = m v

The angular momentum (L) of this particle about a distal point is:

L= r x p

The center of mass of an object is a theoretical point where all of the object’s mass can be considered to be concentrated. The Center of Mass of the model can be computed from the location of the center of mass of each segment.

Total Mass of the Model

Location of the center of mass of the model.

The vector from the Model's COM to the COM of a segment is illustrated by the red vector in the figure below:

Velocity of a Segment COM relative to the laboratory

Velocity of the Model COM relative to the laboratory

Velocity of a vector from the Segment COM to the Model COM in Laboratory coordinates.

Compute in Local Coordinates

= Segment angular velocity in Lab Coordinates

= Segment orientation matrix, which transforms a vector from Lab coordinates to Local coordinates

Compute the segment angular velocity in Segment Local Coordinates

= Segment Angular Momentum in Local Coordinates

Segment Angular Momentum in Lab Coordinates

The angular momentum for one segment about the total body center of mass in Laboratory Coordinates is:

Now that all the angular moment values in a common coordinate system, we can simply add them.

The angular momentum for the total body about the total body center of mass is:

Where N = total number of segments

Note: The tricky calculation is so the algorithm works around this issue by not actually calculating the value.

Much of the contents of this page are courtesy of Fred Yeadon.

1. Yeadon, M.R. 1993. The biomechanics of twisting somersaults. Part I: Rigid body motions. Journal of Sports Sciences 11, 187-198.
2. Yeadon, M.R. 1993. The biomechanics of twisting somersaults. Part II: Contact twist. Journal of Sports Sciences 11, 199-208.
3. Yeadon, M.R. 1993. The biomechanics of twisting somersaults. Part III: Aerial twist. Journal of Sports Sciences 11, 209-218.
4. Yeadon, M.R. 1993. The biomechanics of twisting somersaults. Part IV: Partitioning performance using the tilt angle. Journal of Sports Sciences 11, 219-225.
5. Yeadon, M.R. 1993. Twisting techniques used by competitive divers. Journal of Sports Sciences 11, 4, 337-342.